Beach forecast: rip current risk, surf and water temperature

Today's rip current risk at 230 stretches of beach on every US coast, the Great Lakes, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Pacific islands, from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast: with the surf height, the water temperature, the UV index, any beach hazards statement in force, the nearest buoy's measured waves and today's tides.

Dangerous today

22 beaches at high risk, 53 at moderate risk. High risk means life-threatening currents and swimming is not safe.

Atlantic Coast105

33 with a moderate or high risk today.

Gulf Coast19

3 with a moderate or high risk today.

Pacific Coast24

3 with a moderate or high risk today.

Great Lakes61

36 with a moderate or high risk today.

Hawaii, the Caribbean and the Pacific islands21

No moderate or high risk in the forecast today.

From the National Weather Service beach forecast and the offices' surf zone forecasts, read every 15 minutes.

What is here

Rip current risk
Today and tomorrow, for every period the National Weather Service issues, with what each level means and what to do if a rip current carries you out.
Surf and water
The forecast surf height and water temperature, and the nearest buoy's measured wave height, wave period and water temperature, with the time it was read.
Hazards in force
Beach hazards statements, high surf advisories, rip current statements and coastal flood products, as they are issued for the beach's own forecast zone.
The day at the beach
UV index, thunderstorm and waterspout risk, the wind, today's high and low tides at the nearest NOAA station, sunrise and sunset.

Common questions

How is a beach defined here?

Each page is a National Weather Service surf zone: a stretch of shore the local forecast office writes one forecast for, with the beaches it names inside it. That is the unit the official rip current risk is issued in, so it is the unit a page can answer honestly.

How often does the forecast change?

Offices issue the surf zone forecast once or twice a day, usually in the early morning and again in the afternoon, and update it when conditions change. These pages read the National Weather Service every 15 minutes.

Does low risk mean it is safe?

No. Low risk means life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they still form near piers, groins, jetties and reefs, and people drown in them on low risk days. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.

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